Student Spotlight

The President's Leadership Class of 2011-2012

The President's Leadership Class was established in 1961 by the late David A. Burr, former vice president of University Affairs, in whose memory David A. Burr Park, the gazebo and garden area across from the residence halls, is named, in response to then University President George Lynn Cross’ concern that many of Oklahoma’s outstanding young men and women were leaving the state to attend college and then not returning to Oklahoma to live and work. The freshmen scholarship/leadership group was designed to cultivate students' proven leadership abilities.

Each year, approximately 100 freshmen are chosen from almost 5000 applicants. These students, recognized as leaders in their high schools, are given opportunities to apply their leadership skills through diverse activities across the campus and to meet many university, state, and national leaders.

PLC members meet some of the University’s finest faculty members and explore many of OU’s treasures such as the the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, the Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art and the National Weather Center. They also have the opportunity meet dignitaries that visit our campus. In the past, students have attended dinner with Doris Kearns Goodwin, dinner with President Gorbachev, dinner with the Crown Prince of Jordan and lunch with Elizabeth Dole.

Class members attend weekly meetings and participate in special retreats and events with university officials and special guests. They also have the opportunity to contribute to the university and Norman communities through volunteer activities.